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same food ; for when one examines both to see what they have been eating, one finds that the 

 Ibex feeds on the various Potentilla plants which form the green patches in the mountains ; and 

 these low-growing plants, with their white and yellow blossoms and fruit, which bring them 

 botanically near to the strawberry, serve for food to the Snow-Partridge as well as the Ibex. 

 This fact explains why the two are found together; and, moreover, it is possible that the insects 

 which are found on the dung of the Ibex may attract the Snow-Partridge. . . . The lower moun- 

 tains which stretch in the direction of Armenia to other high ranges, are certainly not inhabited 

 by the Snow-Partridge ; nor is the Ibex found in the Little Caucasus. . . . The Snow-Partridge 

 lives strictly in pairs, and inhabits an area the size of which is scarcely known. If a pair are 

 disturbed, they rise uttering a peculiar shrill whistle and a clear alarm-note like the words tirok, 

 tirok, tirok, on hearing which other pairs in the vicinity also take wing. The flight of this 

 species is swift and direct, and reminded me much of that of the Little Bustard, but was not so 

 whistling. I cannot say if the Snow-Partridge, like the Grouse, drums in the spring ; for it is 

 almost impossible to visit the elevated portions of the mountains at that season. It seems, 

 however, certain that this bird never perches in a tree, and is altogether in its habits a gigantic 

 Partridge ; besides, it inhabits regions above the tree-growth. I hope, however, ere long to 

 gain more information about this species. It certainly breeds very early in the year. I have 

 never taken its eggs personally; but on the 17th April, when on a journey from Tiflis to 

 St. Petersburg, at a station high up in the mountains, I procured two eggs and a bird. One of 

 these eggs I took to London, and gave it to my dear friend Dresser, who will, I trust, ere long, 

 figure this species in his work. As these eggs were quite fresh when I received them, one may 

 take for granted that the breeding-season begins about the middle of April. This bird must lay 

 many eggs ; for I was fortunate enough, late in June or early in July, in the mountains, at an 

 altitude of about 3000 metres above the sea-level, to come suddenly, by chance, on a female with 

 her unfledged young. Like all the Gallinaceous birds, and especially those which, like this 

 species, inhabit the stone-rubble districts, the young birds were adepts at hiding and getting out 

 of the way ; and I was astonished to see them get up close to my feet and quickly disperse. I 

 tried long to catch one, grabbed first at one and then at another, and missed them, and was at 

 last glad enough to secure a single one. But I saw at least thirteen to fifteen, and can therefore 

 safely state that the coveys are about as many in number as those of allied species of Partridges. 

 All the natives agree that this bird is exceedingly difficult to procure, as it is so very shy that 

 only a skilful hunter can approach within rifle-range, and may be days in search of the bird 

 before getting a shot at it." Dr. Eadde adds that the natives compare this bird to the Turkey, 

 and consider it to be a sort of mountain-Turkey, calling it " Intaure." He has succeeded 

 almost every year in getting one or two alive, and says that it soon becomes accustomed to 

 captivity, but does not live long in confinement, and does not seem to thrive away from its 

 elevated habitat. Besides the old male and the egg for which I am indebted to Dr. Eaclde, 

 this gentleman also brought and gave me an immature male ; and I have lately received through 

 the well-known German dealer, Mr. W. Schluter, of Halle, another male and female (the former 

 of which is now in the possession of Mr. C. G. Danford) and several eggs, which Mr. Schluter 

 informs me were obtained by a Pole who had lately been collecting in the Caucasus. 



The eggs of this species in my collection are dull light clay-buff in colour with an oil-green 



